...Koa N. Webster; Terence J. Dawson SUMMARY We examined the structure–function relationships that underlie the aerobic capacities of marsupial mammals that hop. Marsupials have relatively low basal metabolic rates (BMR) and historically were seen as ‘low energy’ mammals. However, the red kangaroo...

.... Using red kangaroos ( Macropus rufus Desmarest), an arid zone species, we compared the ventilatory capabilities of juveniles and adults at thermoneutral (25°C) and extreme (–5°C and 45°C) ambient temperatures. We used an allometry to compare juvenile to adult ventilation,using predicted body mass...

...Adam J. Munn; Terence J. Dawson SUMMARY Using red kangaroos Macropus rufus Desmarest, a large (>20 kg)marsupial herbivore, we compared the digestive capabilities of juveniles with those of mature, non-lactating females on high-quality forage (chopped lucerne Medicago sativa hay) of 43±1% neutral...

... in the past the marsupials were considered to be metabolically `primitive', the red kangaroo Macropus rufus has been reported to have an aerobic capacity ( V̇ O 2 max )comparable to that of the most `athletic' of placentals such as dogs. However,kangaroos travel at moderate speeds with lower relative cost...